LOK SABHA
Maternity Leave to Female Students
1341. SHRI HAJI FAZLUR REHMAN:
Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:w
(a) the details of appropriate rules and norms to provide maternity leave and relief in attendance to female students who are pursuing graduation and post-graduation in Universities in the country;
(b) whether the Government has issued any order to the Universities in this regard; and
(c) if so, the details thereof?
(Dr. SUBHAS SARKAR)
(a) to (c): The University Grants Commission (UGC) has informed that to promote the higher education for female students, provision has been made in the UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of M.Phil./Ph.D. Degrees) Regulations, 2016 that the women candidates may be allowed a relaxation of one year for M.Phil. and two years for Ph.D. in the maximum duration. In addition, the women candidates may be provided Maternity Leave/Child Care Leave once in the entire duration of M.Phil. / Ph.D. for up to 240 days.
UGC has further informed that to extend the benefit of maternity leave to under graduate and post graduate female students, the UGC has issued a letter dated 14th December, 2021 requesting Higher Education Institutions to frame appropriate rules/norms with regard to granting Maternity Leave to the women students enrolled in their respective institution / affiliated Colleges.